Man&#39;s undergarment



Nov. 29, 1938. F. CHATFIELD I MANS UNDERGARMENT Filed May 24, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C/fATF/ELD I v Arron/vs Y8 NOV. 29, 1938. cHATFlELD 2,138,481

MAN'S UNDERGARMENT Filed May 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In van a 7" fkAA/KL IN C/m TF/ELD T Z WWW Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 24, 1937, Serial No. 144,407

6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in mens undergarments, and has as an object to provide such a garment which is extremely comfortable to the wearer, and is simpie and inexpensive in construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment having a girdle embodied in the construction thereof, and having horizontally disposed overlapping portions in the front thereof cooperating to provide a normally closed fly opening.

A further object is to provide a garment of the class described, comprising a body portion including a front section having an opening therein Whose upper edge is substantially horizontally disposed, and terminates at a point between the crotch and the waistband, and a piece of fabric extending upwardly from the crotch and having its upper edge overlying the upper edge of said opening and cooperating therewith to provide a horizontally disposed fly opening.

A further object is to provide an undergarment comprising an abdominal supporting member or girdle and a suspensory, and the fabric which constitutes the front wall of the suspensory, extending upwardly from the crotch and having its upper edge overlying an edge of the front section of the garment, below the girdle, and cooperating therewith to provide a normally closed horizontally disposed fly opening.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel construction of that portion of the garment which constitutes the suspensory; in the provision ofa relatively elastic insert in the crotch of the garment, to the forward edge of which the rear lower edgeportion .of the fabric which constitutes the suspensory is attached, and whereby the crotch portion may readily yield and permit the garment to adapt itself to the figure; in the simple and inexpensive construction and arrangement of the fly opening, whereby it is readily' in the novel construction of the.

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my improved garment on a figure;

Figure 2 is a front view of the garment par-.

tially broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction thereof;

Figure 3 is a view showing a front portion of the garment with the fly opening in open position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing the crotch portion of the garment;

Figure 5 is a rear view of the garment;

Figure 6 is a view showing a construction wherein means is provided for varying the size and/or shape of the suspensory;

Figure '7 is a detail sectional view on the line 1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view showing my improved fly opening embodied in the construction of a pair of jockey shorts; and

Figure 9 is a view showing the fly opening of Figure 8 in open position.

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown, there is illustrated in Figure 1, for purposes of disclosure, a garment comprising leg portions 2, which, in the present instance, are' shown formed from two sections of fabric, stitched together at the back of the garment by suitable stitching 3, and extending around the sides to the front of the garment with their opposite edges spaced apart, as best illustrated in Figures 1, 2, andv 3. A front section 4 is fitted between and secured to the spaced apart edges of the side sections 5, by suitable stitching 6.

In the form shown in Figures 1 to 5, a girdle or abdominal supporting member, generally indicated by the numeral 1, is shown embodied in the upper portion of the garment, and comprises a front member 8 of a suitable elastic material, preferably stretchable circumferentially of the body. The rear portion of the girdle is shown composed of a relatively smaller or narrower member 9, secured to the front member 8 at the sides of the garment, as indicated at H in Figures 1 and 5. The rear member 9 is preferably non-elastic, but, if desired, may be made of elastic material.

A suitable crotch piece l2, preferably shaped as best shown in Figure 4, is secured by stitching l3, to the side sections 5 of the garment. The crotch piece I2 is preferably made. of a slightly heavier textile fabric than the leg sections 5, and has its wales running lengthwise thereof, as indicated by the arrow l4 in Figure 4, and whereby it has relatively greater elasticity in a fore-and-aft direction, indicated by the arrow l5, than it has in the direction of the arrow l4. An important feature of the present invention resides in the novel construction of the fly opening provided in the front. of the garment, and whereby a suspensory may also be integrally formed therein. As best illustrated in Figure 2, the lower edge It of the front section 4 terminates at a point intermediate of the crotch and the girdle of the garment, whereby an opening I! is provided, the edges of which are defined by the lower edge I6 of the front section 4, the edge portions l8 of the side sections 5, and the edge portion IQ of the foremost part of the crotch piece l2.

The fly opening is completed by embodying in the front of the garment, a piece of fabric, generally indicated by the numeral 2 I. This piece of fabric is preferably stitched to the edges of the side sections 5 and the front edge of the crotch piece I 2, by the stitching 6, preferably simultaneously with the stitching of the front section 4 thereto. The piece of fabric 2| is of such size that its upper portion overlies the lower portion of the front section 4, whereby a normally closed fly opening is provided, as shown in Figure 1. The lower edge l6 of the front section 4, and the upper edge 22 of the piece of fabric 2|, are provided with elastic bands or tapes, which normally hold these edges taut, thereby to keep the fly opening normally closed, and whereby the garment will fit smoothly over the body. The elastic tape provided in the free edge 22 of the fabric member 2|, in addition to keeping the fly opening normally closed, also serves to support a portion of the weight of the scrotum, as will be clearly understood by reference to Figure 1.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the unique shape of the piece of fabric or member 2 I which, as best illustrated in Figure l, is provided with a fullness at its lower portion which may be conveniently formed by cutting out a piece of the fabric and stitching together the edges where such piece is removed, as shown at 23, whereby the lower portion of the member 2| provides a suspensory, which constitutes a component part of the garment.

The fabric from which the front section 4 and member 2| are constructed, is preferably stretchable in a horizontal direction, to permit the fly opening to be conveniently opened, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 3 and 9. In some instances, it may be desirable to make the member 2| of two-way stretch material, and in other instances, it may be found desirable to use a non-elastic material.

By making the suspensory integral with the body of the garment, as herein disclosed, a very comfortable support is provided without materially adding to the weight and bulkiness of the garment. The unique construction of the fly opening renders it very convenient to operate, and it provides a smooth and comfortable fitting garment over the front portion of the body.

In Figures 6 and '7, there is shown a construction wherein a tubular casing 24 is embodied in the row of stitching 6, shown in Figure 2. This casing may be of conventional construction, and is adapted to receive a tape 25, one end of which is suitably anchored or secured to the lower edge portion of the girdle member 9, at point ID. A row of stitching 26 secures the leg portions 5 of the garment to the girdle I, and this same stitching may also be utilized for .anchoring the tape 25 at point In. The other end of tape 25 projects through a suitable opening or slit 20, provided inthe wall of the casing 24, adjacent' the stitching 26, as best shown in Figure 6. A suitable buckle or other fastening device, generally indicated by the numeraljl), is anchored at 40, and is adaptedto adjustably receive and secure the free end of the tape 25 in operative position. By means of the tape 25 and buckle 30, the shape and size of the suspensory, generally indicated by the numeral 21, may be varied, as will readily be understood. The tape 25 is preferably of non-elastic material but, if desired, may be of elastic material.

In Figures 8 and 9, there is shown a pair of jockey shorts comprising a waist band 28, to which the upper edges of the back and side sections, generally indicated by the numeral 29, are secured. A front section 3| is fitted between and secured to the spaced apart edges of the side sections 29, at the front of the garment, as clearly illustrated in Figure 8. The lower edge 32 of the front section 3| terminates slightly above the crotch, as shown. A crotch member, generally indicated by the numeral 33, has its rear end stitched to the rear portion of the back and side sections of the garment by a row of stitching 34. From the row of stitching 34, the crotch piece 33 extends forwardly and upwardly at the front of the garment, and has its upper portion 35 overlapping the lower portion of the front section 3|, and cooperating therewith to provide a normally closed fly opening. It is to be understood that the lower edge 32 of the front section 3| and the upper edge 36 of the crotch piece 33 are unsecured. These edges are also provided with suitable elastic bands, which retain the edges taut and normally keep the fly opening closed, as shown in Figure 8. The front section 3| and crotch piece 33 are preferably constructed of a fabric which is readily stretchable in a horizontal direction, as indicated by the arrow 31, to facilitate opening the fly opening.

In the structure illustrated in Figure 8, it will also be noted that the rear portion of the body of the garment and the sides thereof, are constructed from a single piece of material, whereby the only seams in the body of the garment, reside in the row of stitching 34- at the rear end of the crotch piece, and the upright rows of stitching 38, which secure the front section 3| in position between the side sections 29, and which also secure the upwardly extending portion 35 of the crotch piece to the side sections. Figure 9 shows how the fly opening, illustrated in Figure 8, may be conveniently opened by downwardly pulling the edge 36 of the overlying portion 35 of the crotch piece 33.

In Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, I have shown the invention embodied in a garment comprising a girdle and having relatively long legs. It is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in a garment having only a narrow waist band, as shown, for example, in Figure 8, and in which only leg openings are provided in lieu of the legs 2, as shown in Figure 8. In other words, I do not wish to limit the invention to the specific types of garments herein shown, as obviously, it may be embodied in the construction of various other types of garments of this general character, and where applicable, without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a garment of the class described, a body portion comprising at waist section and back and side sections, said side sections extending around to the front of the garment, a front section extending downwardly from the waist section fitted between and secured to the edges of said side sections and having its lower free edge terminating above the crotch, a crotch member having its rear end secured to the lower edge of the back section and a piece of fabric extending upwardly from the crotch member overlying the lower portion of the front section and secured at its sides thereto, said fabric piece having an upper free edge cooperating with the lower edge of the front section to provide a normally closed horizontally disposed fly opening, said upper free edge of the fabric piece having an elastic tape embodied therein for constantly keeping it taut and also serving to support a portion of the weight of the scrotum.

2. In a garment of the class described, a body portion comprising a waist section, and side sections secured together at the back of said body portion and extending around the front, said side sections having their front edges'spaced apart, a front section fitted between, and at its edges secured to, the front edges of said side sections and having its lower edge unsecured and terminating above the crotch, a crotch member connected to the rear part of the body portion, and a. piece of fabric secured at its lower end to said crotch member and having its side edges suitably secured to the body portion of the garment, said piece of fabric extending upwardly from the crotch and having its upper portion overlying the lower portion of said front section and secured to the edges of said lower portion of said front section, said fabric piece having a free upper edge cooperating with the free lower edge of said front section to provide a normally closed horizontal fly opening.

3. In a garment of the class described, a body portion comprising a waist section, and side sections extending around from the back to the front of said body portion and having their edges spaced apart at the front of the garment, a front section extending downwardly from the waist section fitted between and secured to said edges and having its lower edge unsecured and terminating above the crotch, a crotch member, and a piece of fabric secured to the front portion of the garment and extending upwardly from the crotch and having a free upper edge portion overlapping the lower free edge portion of the front section and cooperating therewith to pro- 50 vide a horizontal fly opening, said piece of fabric a vertical direction, and the lower portion of said piece of fabric being shaped to provide a suspensory.

4. In a garment of the class described, a body portion comprising a waist section, and front and back sections formed with suitable leg openings, the front section having an opening in the lower central portion thereof above the crotch, a crotch piece defining the lower edge of said opening, and a pouch-like member of textile fabric extending upwardly from the crotch having its side edges secured to the front section along the edges of the opening and having its lowermost edge secured to the edge of the crotch piece, the upper portion of said member overlying a portion of the front section above said opening and cooperating with the edge of the front section constituting the upper edge portion of the opening to provide substantially a horizontally disposed fly opening, and the pouch-like shape of the lower portion of said member providing a suspensory which constitutes a component part of the garment.

5. In a garment of the class described, a body portion comprising side sections secured together at the back of the garment and extending around the sides to the front of the garment and having their upright edges at the front of said body portion spaced apart, a front section fitting between and secured to said upright edges and having its lower edge portion unsecured and terminating above the crotch, a crotch piece, said crotch piece being elastic in a fore-and-aft direction, and a member of one-way stretch fabric secured at its bottom and sides to said side sections and the crotch piece, and extending upwardly from the crotch and overlying the lower free edge portion of the front section and cooperating with said lower free edge to provide a fly opening, the free edges of said member and front section having elastic bands therein to keep the fly opening normally closed, and said member having its lower portion formed with a fullness to provide a suspensory made integral with the garment.

6. A garment of the class described, comprising in combination, a body portion including an elastic girdle, and sections extending around from the back to the front of said body portion and having their edges spaced apart at the front of the garment, a front fabric section extending downwardly from the front part of said girdle fitted between and secured to said edges and terminating above the crotch in a free lower edge, and a suspensory embodied in the construction of the garment and comprising a fabric section which extends upwardly from the crotch above said lower edge of said front fabric section of the body portion and having a free upper edge cooperating with the lower edge of said front section to provide a concealed fly opening.

FRANKLIN CHA'I'FIEID. 

